Sunday, 13 December 2015

Firstly let me apologize for being absent from blogging for so long. Between NaNoWriMo and various other commitments I feel like I've not been around lately. I've also been in Disneyland Paris for the past week celebrating a milestone birthday and getting lost in the magic so am now well and truly full of festive spirit!

My main update is that I'm really excited to announce that my beloved vampire novel, Sunkissed, is getting a new lease of life. It's being re-released with a shiny new cover on Friday 15th January and is already up for pre-order for just £0.99 over on amazon.

I've always loved this book and been protective of Dawn's story. I'm pleased to finally give her, and the book, the kind of cover they truly deserve. I hope you all love the new cover as much as I do!

He'd do anything to save her...

Dawn Summers is dying. It’s 1853 and as the seventeen year old continues to fade away she has visions of the father she never knew, urging her to fight for her life.

In the small village of Fandova the only medical care is in the form of the mysterious Dr. Moralus who has a known penchant for bloodletting. Thomas, Dawn's fiancé, is warned against inviting his intervention, but feels he has no choice, he pleads with the doctor to save Dawn’s life…whatever it takes

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

This week I started work on my 20th book. It feels like a bit of a milestone which had me thinking back to the first full length novel I ever wrote, First to Fall.

First to Fall will always be such a special book to me. Not only because it was my first but because of what it did for me. When I wrote the book I had quite literally been torn in half. I won't get in to the gruesome details but I had to take a year out of work to wait for my very broken little body to mend, not that there was any guarantee that it actually would.

It was a very dark and lonely time for me. I couldn't go out, I couldn't do anything. I had to be helped to even get out of bed or get out of a chair. I was twenty three and I felt lost. I needed to go somewhere. I needed to escape.

I'd been writing stories since I could first hold a pen but I never actually finished anything. Time never seemed to be on my side. I was either too busy getting my butt kicked by my illness or living life at full throttle during the rare moments when I was well. But suddenly time just loomed before me, an indefinite stretch as I waited for my body to sort itself out.

I took all my savings and bought a laptop. Then, for one hour each day I got my parents to wedge me up with some cushions behind me and I typed. I created Aiden Connelly, the hero of my story and together we discovered Avalon. I spent my days eager to get back to Aiden and his story. And after three months it was finished. Only I was still very much incomplete. So I wrote another book.

Eventually I healed completely and by that time I'd been well and truly bitten by the writing bug. I just couldn't stop. It became my sanctuary where I could slip away in to my world of make believe and forget all about my problems.

For me my books have always been about escape. And with my Avalon series I want other people to feel like they can escape there too. I absolutely love writing, it helped me heal in more ways than one. So now, working on my current book I can't help but think back to where it all began. I'll always love Avalon, and Aiden. And one day I will go back. That's a promise : )

Until then if you fancy visiting the town that helped save me a ticket is less than a pound at just £0.99. I love all my books but First to Fall will always be the one that got the ball rolling, the one which held me together when nothing else could : )

Monday, 12 October 2015

I know we are still in October but as things turn autumnal my mind starts to think about NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. The premise is just as the name suggests; write a book in a month. Or at least 50K words to be exact.

I did it last year. That book is currently with my agent and I'm crazy excited to share it with the wider world in the near future. And I'm all set for NaNoWriMo next month. My experience last year really helped me fine tune my writing and get used to working to really tight deadlines. I've planned out this year's project I now just need November to start so I can sit down and do it. Oh, and I also need to finish my current WIP before then...

If this is going to be your first NaNoWriMo then best of luck to you! And if you're back for another round then what's the matter with you? Gluten for punishment? ; ) In all seriousness it is a lot of fun and the camaraderie online during it all is insanely helpful and inspiring.

But, tips! Let me bestow on you some essential truths I've learned through being a writer...

Cereal.

It's a quick, easy satisfying meal. During November cereal in its variety of forms should become your best friend.

Pyjamas

Comfort is key. If you're uncomfortable at your computer/typewriter/stone tablet, whatever you write on, you won't stay there long enough to hit your target if you're not super comfy. And warm. If you're in the UK like me then staying warm can be an issue. When I write I'm beneath a duvet and snuggled in my Jedi dressing gown. Yes, I totally do channel the force as I write especially during NaNoWriMo! : )

Targets

Pick a daily target and then stick to it. No matter what! I don't care if the zombie apocalypse just broke out beneath your window. You need to get those words down dammit!

Available
If like me you're already in a relationship then I pity you. Because a spouse wants things, like your time. And time is something you just can't go giving away during NaNoWriMo! My advice during November; don't date. Just become a hermit. Live in your little writing cave and only surface to grab some cereal and an extra blanket.

But the most important thing of all is HAVE FUN. Because that's why we do this, right? Because we love it? NaNoWriMo is a great incentive to crank a book out in just a month, to do something you've always been meaning to get around to. But don't make yourself miserable. Write your book, have fun with it and then use December to recover and stuff your face with turkey when Christmas rolls around.

Monday, 21 September 2015

I was inspired by my friend (and fellow Hello Kitty lover) Anabelle Bryant after she wrote a post about author's secret indulgences, and how they cope with ironing out tricky scenes and characters.

It got me thinking about the ways I tackle a nasty case of writer's block or sort out a few characters who are refusing to behave. Whenever I feel like I'm hitting or wall, or I'm approaching a really important scene that I know I need to nail I tend to do one of three things. This magical trifecta, though woefully mundane, never fails to pull me out of a slump. I've even planned out new books, extended a scene and killed people off while doing them (only in my mind, of course, lol). So let me share with you my three fail proof ways to help bring forth the words when my mind is feeling stubborn -

I take a bath.

Wallowing in bubbles seems to do more than just ease away my troubles. It helps me focus solely on what's going on inside my head which at times is actually useful. I'm a bit of a bubble bath fiend and love throwing in heavily scented bath bombs and oils.

I take Rollo for a walk.

I'm fortunate enough to live right by some really beautiful woods. Weather permitting I tend to walk my cheeky canine companion, Rollo, on a daily basis, usually after I've finished writing for the morning. Watching Rollo chase after squirrels offers my mind a chance to relax a bit, kind of like having a bath does. I tend to use the time to think about future story ideas and then come back home and jot them down.

I go for a drive.

All image sourced online

Whilst I don't advocate adopting my questionable driving style, when I'm off on a long drive my mind does tend to wander. With my music playing I find it quite easy to drift off in to my own thoughts (while, I assure you, never taking my eyes off the road). A long drive in the country can do wonders for my WIP and by the time I pull up back at home I'm refreshed and have ironed out all the annoying kinks in the plot.

So there you have it. My three go to responses to the wretched writer's block. What do you do on day's when the words just won't come? I'm always open to new suggestions : )

Friday, 4 September 2015

I've been sitting on this news for awhile now so I'm really excited to announce that I've signed a 3 book deal with Accent YA to release my upcoming Princess Trilogy. The first book in the series, Paper Princess, is due for release next year and as soon as I have a concrete release date I'll let people know.

Paper Princess and the other books in the series, Porcelain Princess and Plastic Princess will all be widely available in both ebook and paperback format. I'm thrilled to be working with Accent Press and unleashing a new trilogy out in to the world.

It's liable to change but this is the working synopsis for Paper Princess to give you a rough idea of what the story is about -

After the summer of
Matilda ‘Tilly’ Johnson’s 12th birthday things are changing. Her best friend,
Josephine, has left for London so might as well be on another planet. And
Tilly’s about to start secondary school, the same school where her older
sisters, Monica and Maria go.

But Tilly doesn’t fit in
with her sisters. She doesn’t really fit in with anyone. Her head is always
filled with fairy tales and potential happily ever afters. In her mind she’s
still a princess trapped up in a tower waiting to be rescued.

“Tilly, you need to grow
up.” And it’s not just her Mum who thinks so. Everyone is telling Tilly that
she needs to stop believing in fairy tales and start being present in the real
world. But with so many things changing beyond her control is Tilly really
ready to give up the one thing which makes her feel safe? Can Tilly learn to
accept that happily ever afters might not even exist?

Tilly's story is definitely one that is really close to my heart and I've arguably poured more of myself in to this book than I ever have before.

Monday, 20 July 2015

At the start of this year my resolution was to read more. As a writer I have to admit to a rather ironic problem - I'm a painfully slow reader. I can write a book faster than I can read one. But this year I wanted to take control and try to change that. I'm always hearing about books I'm desperate to read but then feeling sad that if they go on my TBR pile it might be years until I get round to them. So I thought enough is enough! I set myself a Goodreads challenge of reading 12 books in 12 months.

To a more prolific reader I'm sure this target seems very small but to me it was a big step in the right direction. Last year it would take me around 3 months just to read one book so I knew I had to somehow start making more time in the day for books and the best place to start was by reading stories that excited me.

I've always loved YA books so they make up a bulk of my reading. So far this year I have read the following books -

Images via Goodreads.com

If I keep going at this rate I'll achieve my Goodreads target no problem! Yay! When I was younger I used to be such a voracious reader and I feel like I'm reconnecting with that love of books which feels awesome. I tend to read at night, just before I go to sleep, a throwback from my childhood routine. I think that there is something really relaxing about curling up beneath the duvet with a book you love.

Reigniting my passion for reading has only helped me as a writer. I'm daring to take more chances in my own work and learning with each and every book I write. And soon I'll have another book unleashed in to the world! But that's for another blog post...

Today I just wanted to share how much I'm enjoying reading. Next year I might even up my goal to 20 books, who knows? My TBR pile is looking a lot less neglected these days that makes me very happy indeed. Only now I want to -

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Know any great books I should be adding to my reading pile? Let me know!

Friday, 15 May 2015

So today is kind of an exciting day for me because Fourth to Run has been released in to the world.

I have to admit that I find publication days quite stressful, mainly because I panic about what people will think of my new book, especially when it's part of a series like Fourth to Run is. Readers have expectations about the characters and what they hope to happen.

But beyond the stress it is bittersweet to sort of bid a book farewell. Because it is no longer just mine, it belongs to everyone who reads it now.

With Fourth to Run I took everything that had been building up in the first three Avalon books and let it all just explode together. I've loved following Aiden's evolving journey from big city lawyer to his small town struggles. He is definitely a flawed character but I hope that his desire to do good will always redeem him in the eye of the reader.

Thankfully the first review to come in for Fourth to Run has been awesome and I couldn't be happier.

And if a book release wasn't enough to make this Friday fabulous, tickets have just gone on sale for an event I'm attending in Leeds next March. So if you've ever fancied meeting me in person make sure you grab a ticket. I'd love to meet anyone who can make it!

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

I'm really excited today because I get to share the brilliant cover for Fourth to Run! It's the 4th book in my Avalon series and will be released on Friday 15th May with CarinaUK and you can already pre-order it.

I think the cover is really eye catching and has managed to incorporate some of the key elements within the book - like the ominous storm clouds overhead. After looking at the cover I realized that I use the weather a lot in my books, particularly in Dare to Dream. I think I've got a strange fascination with storms!

And check out Aiden dressed all casual! In my mind he was a bit of an Elijah from The Originals, always in a suit, but it stands to reason that when he's away from Avalon (slight spoiler alert) both the suit and the lawyer persona remain behind.

Let me know what you think of the cover! I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!

Friday, 27 March 2015

It won't be long until the 4th book in my Avalon series, Fourth to Run is released which has left me feeling somewhat reflective.

I was twenty three when I first went to Avalon and wrote about Aiden's introduction to the town and its secrets in First to Fall. I didn't anticipate that a number of years later - I can't say how many since a lady doesn't disclose her true age ; ) - that I'd be preparing to head back to Avalon once more.

Both Aiden and the town of Avalon are very special to me as they've evolved along with me right from my first initial steps in to the scary world of being a professional author.

If you've yet to visit Avalon it is a small town with very big secrets. The more time Aiden spends there the more he becomes embroiled in the town's intricate web of lies. But in Fourth to Run his loyalty to Avalon is pushed to the limit. Just how far will he go to protect the town he calls home?

In the lead up to the release of the new book the first three novels are all currently on offer so its a good time to snap them up!

Hopefully I'll have a shiny new cover to share soon! Until then have a great weekend and do pay Avalon a visit if you get chance : )

Monday, 9 March 2015

This morning I had literally just finished writing the latest chapter in my WIP when the doorbell rang. Grumbling I removed my blanket, reluctantly left my laptop and headed down the stairs. When I opened the door and saw the UPS guy my heart starting pounding because I knew what it meant; my books had arrived!

Shipped all the way from America my books had been on a long journey and had finally reached my anxious little hands! I couldn't open the box fast enough, while Rollo sensed my excitement and started to try and chew the corners. When I opened the box and reached in to find ten beautiful copies of Dare to Dream the world slowed and for the first time in ages...I cried.

The books are BEAUTIFUL! The pictures I've taken seriously don't do them justice. As I turned over those few first pages and read the familiar opening lines of Dare to Dream it all suddenly seemed so wonderfully real. I was sat alone in my bright pink writing room holding a copy of my book. So much of my time is spent locked away in solitude that I rarely have moments like these which are worthy of celebration.

But my jubilation was short lived as Rollo eagerly shoved his wet little nose in to the box and tried to grab his own copy. I managed to distract him with the packaging which he merrily chewed on while I let the excitement of the moment sink in. And then it was back to reality. This afternoon will be spent editing another book and tomorrow I'll be writing yet another chapter in my WIP.

I need to offer my publisher, Reuts, huge congratulations for how they have helped me on my long road to publication. They took my story and placed it in this beautiful package which I'm utterly thrilled about! Seriously, you all need to go and buy a copy simply to behold it's wonder first hand!

Monday, 2 March 2015

Dare to Dream has been out for almost two weeks now which means that reviews have started to come in. Reading initial reviews for a new book is always tense. You worry that people won't enjoy the story, that they won't connect with your characters or understand what you are trying to convey.It is an inevitable truth that not everyone will like your book. You really cannot please all the people all the time. What's important is reaching out to the people who will. The people who will get it and will enjoy it. And so the first reviews are in and I can breathe a sigh of relief. People are enjoying Maggie's story, they are getting excited for the next book in the series, which spoiler alert will be called Dare to Believe. Reading these reviews I've noticed an interesting similarity between them. Dare to Dream seems to have an impact on reader's hearts which can only be a good thing!

'The final line of the book sent my heart a flutter. I love it when books do that.'

'My heart was racing through the last 150 pages.'

'“When the last stone falls, the world will end” - That sentence made my heart pound with anticipation.'

As a writer I'm always striving to have an impact on the reader so I love reading people's reactions to the story. It makes all my hours of solitude locked away in my pink writing room worthwhile. If you've not read Dare to Dream yet why not grab a copy and see what it does to your heart? : )

If you're addicted to that new book smell (and come on, who isn't?) you'll be pleased to know that from tomorrow you can order Dare to Dream in all its paperback glory! Yay!

Monday, 23 February 2015

Today for me the start of a new week also means the start of a new story. I always get really excited about starting a new WIP (work in progress). I babble about the story to anyone who will listen, I run key scenes in my mind when I'm walking the dog or taking a bath and then I suddenly disappear...

When I'm writing a story I delve right into it. I stop talking about it and just start...living it I guess. It can be quite consuming but I love it, especially when it's a story I'm crazy excited about. But as the excitement wears off I feel bad for all the other ideas I've brushed aside in honor of this current one. I saw a writer on Twitter talking about how each time she publishes a book she breathes a sigh of relief as it's another story out there because she fears she might not live long enough to write all the stories within her.

And as morbid as that is I totally relate to that. I have a growing list of stories I just have to write. Until they are all down I'll keep having this gnawing emptiness within me, this incessant need to just keep writing. Because writing isn't a choice, its an involuntary impulse like breathing. Both are equally essential to my well being. I know, I know I sound like I'm being WAY overly dramatic but I'm truly not. When I look back at the unhappiest moments in my life they are always the times when I've not been writing. Writing keeps me sane, it keeps me happy.

I just hope that one day I do get to write all of the books residing within me. With each new start to a story I'm one step closer to completing my literary bucket list!

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

I'm really excited because the ebook of Dare to Dream is released a week today! Woo! In honour of the impending release I wanted to share an extract of the story on my blog today.

The lead character in the story, Maggie Trafford, is very much an outsider and even invisible in the chaos of our own home. In the Trafford household, her siblings choose any moment to be disruptive, even dinner time...

Meal times were perhaps the most chaotic moments of all. The family were forced to cramp six seats around a table meant for only four, which meant that an awful lot of pushing and shoving occurred. Maggie would have been much happier eating her dinner alone upstairs, but her mother insisted on them all dining together in an ill-judged attempt at creating some family unity. The boys were always first to the table and would wolf down their food as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks. The girls talked as much as they ate, which meant that they took longer. Their mother always began by attempting polite small talk, asking each of them how their day had been, but it always somehow managed to erupt into a huge argument and dinner would end with people leaving the table angrily, followed by a succession of slamming doors. Once, Jack had punched Kyle over a dispute at school that they had not managed to settle during the day. Their mother had cried that night.

This mealtime played out like all the ones before it: this time it was Catherine and April who were having a heated exchange over their spaghetti bolognaise. The argument reached a head when Catherine called April a slut, to which April’s reply was to throw the remainder of her dinner over her sister’s head. It was a typical dinner in the Trafford household. Maggie began cleaning away the dishes whilst her mother wiped clean a sobbing Catherine. April, not wanting to be disciplined, had slunk off during the chaos to her friend’s house across the street. It was unlikely that she would return that night.

With dinner having drawn to a dramatic conclusion, the family had dispersed for the evening. Catherine was with their mother in the small living room watching the soaps, while Jack and Kyle had gone out to meet friends and play soccer, which seemed dubious considering how cold and dark it was. Maggie was pretty certain that they had gone somewhere with much less noble intentions, probably to drink cheap cider and smoke cigarettes, but she had learnt what happened when she told of their plans and so she kept quiet. Now that the house was relatively empty, she could at last relax and begin to unwind after a hectic day. Maggie chose to have a bath: it was one of her favorite things to do. She loved nothing more than to lie amongst the warm bubbles and let her mind wander. It offered her a rare chance to be alone and was more often than not the highlight of her day.

To win a signed paperback copy of Dare to Dream head over to Goodreads

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Since it's #TeaserTuesday I thought I'd put the spotlight on one of the main characters in Dare to Dream; Dawn Brady. Dawn is Maggie's fiercely loyal best friend who proves that she's more than just a pretty blonde. So I'll let Dawn do something she's pretty good at, which is talking about herself...

Hi, okay, so I'm Dawn Brady. You have probably already heard of me. I'm fourteen and I go to Bainbridge Wells High which is just a dump. I think there are prisons which are nicer than my crappy school! But it's not all bad. Mags is there.

Mags, Maggie, is my BFF and I love her to bits. She's seriously the smartest person I've ever met! We do pretty much everything together. Maggie even watches my Hartford's Place DVDs with me even though I can tell she doesn't like it since she can never keep track of who is dating who. But I LOVE Hartford's Place it is like, the best show ever! I wish my school was more like Hartford High, full of hot guys with great suntans and ripped abs...What else is there to say? Umm. Well si My favorite flavor ice cream is cherry, I never leave home without my lip gloss and my inhaler and I can just about wrap my leg around my head. It's pretty much the only thing I picked up when my Mum used to make me take gymnastics lessons. I don't really do sports. Sweating is just...urgh. Wrong. I can't wait to leave Bainbridge. As soon as school finishes I'm getting the hell out of there and I'm taking Maggie with me! Though I'm pretty sure she's destined to go to some hot shot university like Oxford or Cambridge. So maybe I'd follow her to London, I don't know. What I do know is that Mags is my best friend, without her life would totally suck. She makes me laugh and actually listens to me. I'd follow Mags to the ends of the earth if she asked me because that's what best friends do.

xoxo

Want to read more about Dawn and Maggie? Well you don't have to wait long as Dare to Dream is officially being released on 17th February! That's just a few weeks away! Until then make sure you add Dare to Dream on goodreads are there will be some exciting competitions being announced on there shortly!

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Since it won't be long until Dare to Dream is released in to the big wide world I'm going to focus my next few blog posts on the book because it's my newest book baby and I'm crazy proud of it!

Today I want to share what motivated me to write Dare to Dream. In a nutshell I was inspired by a book I read.

A few years ago I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road. For those of you not familiar with the story it is a harrowing tale of a father and son struggling to cope in the aftermath of an apocalypse. We are never told what plunged the world in to despair, just that it had happened. McCarthy sort of drops the reader in to the bleak wilderness and encourages them to follow along with the main characters and will them to survive.

The end of the world is not a great place to be there is no denying that. But as I read the book I started thinking about how I'd love to have read the story which occurred before The Road, where I'd be given an insight in to what happened.

As a writer I'm always keen to push my characters to their limits as it is when people are pushed to extremes that they are at their most interesting and revealing. And it is from this place that the original idea for Dare to Dream was born.

When I was writing the story it was called Maggie Trafford Dreams of Armageddon. Kind of lengthy, right? The story was about a teenage girl who preempts the end of the world. I wanted to give my story an anchor through Maggie, I also didn't want to paint as bleak a picture as McCarthy did because I think however dark it might be at the end of the world, hope will always manage to shine through.

Maggie is hopeful, brave and fiercely determined. Dare to Dream details the start of her story but it is far from over.

I can't wait to share Maggie's journey with everyone. It would be amazing if her story prompted someone to write a book of their own! ; )

If release day feels too far away don't despair as Reuts are starting to filter tantalizing teasers in to the world so make sure to follow them on Twitter so you don't miss anything!

And check out Dare to Dream over on goodreads as I've got a feeling there might be some competitions launching over there soon...

Monday, 26 January 2015

January has been an exciting month for cover reveals and I'm thrilled to share another one on my blog today, the cover for Amelia Thorne's second novel, Tied Up With Love. Amelia is a fellow CarinaUK author so I'm delighted to be able to take part in her big reveal today! So without further delay check out the beautiful cover below;

Isn't the cover beautiful?

And here's the fabulous blurb;

‘We’re from KMW. Do exactly as you’re told and you won’t get hurt...'

Being grabbed off the street, blind folded, tied up and thrown into a van was not what Izzy expected to happen when she stepped out the door that morning. But when an accidental kidnapping at the hands of the sexy Ethan Chase and his 'Kidnap My Wife' sexual fantasy business leads to just that, Izzy seizes the chance to turn her misfortune into a brilliant new job opportunity…

Since then, life has been one big tangle of new client meetings, fake kidnapping pick-ups, and handling the temperamental, but drop dead gorgeous 'bad boy' Mr Chase. But, as liberating as being tied up in Ethan's life is, Izzy knows the time is fast approaching when she must make some decisions and take charge of her future. The only question is: will Ethan allow himself to be a part of it?

Sounds awesome, right?

Head over to Goodreads now and add it to your TBR pile! I know I will be!

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

I'm so thrilled to be able to share the absolutely stunning cover for my upcoming YA novel, Dare to Dream!

I hope you all love it as much as I do as I think it is stunning and perfectly reflects the themes of the book! Speaking of which, check out the official blurb below;

“The world was going to end. Of that, Maggie Trafford was certain.”

Fourteen-year-old Maggie Trafford leads a normal life. Well, as normal as being crammed in a three-bedroom house with four siblings and a single parent can be, anyway. But despite being somewhat ignored at home, Maggie excels, earning top grades, a best friend who would do anything for her, and stolen looks from a boy in Maths.

It’s not until the dreams start that Maggie realizes “normal” is the least of her problems. Every night, she lives the same nightmare—red lightning, shattered glass, destruction. But nightmares are just that, right? No one believes her when she says it’s an omen. At least, not until the already mysterious pillars of Stonehenge start falling.

No longer alone in her fear, Maggie and the world watch with bated breath as one after another, the historic stones tumble, like a clock counting down. But only Maggie knows what it means: when the last stone falls, destruction will reign. And when the world ends, there’s only one option left—survive.

Horrifying and raw, Dare to Dream is equal parts tragedy and hope, detailing the aftermath of apocalyptic catastrophe, the quest for survival, and the importance of belief.

If that has piqued your interest then you'll be pleased to know that book is available for download via the Reuts website and my editor and I are busy frantically working to get the book out in the big wide world as soon as possible!

http://www.reuts.com/store/books/dare-dream-electronic/

I must extend a massive thank you to everyone who has been involved in the cover reveal today. You are all truly awesome and I'm sending numerous virtual hugs your way!

So do check out these amazing blogs to hear what other people have to say about Dare to Dream's haunting cover;

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Today I'm really excited to be helping out a member of the Reuts family with a fantastic cover reveal for Sachael Dreams! Fellow Brit and all round fabulous writer, Melody Winter, has a New Adult romance coming out next month with Reuts and it sounds epic! Think dramatic twist on mermaid mythology epic! You can see the stunning cover below which is elegant, mysterious and so so beautiful!

Twenty-two-year-old
Estelle Bailey has had enough of busy city-life and her hot-tempered ex. She
escapes to the seclusion and peace of her family’s clifftop home in Ravenscar,
where the soothing solitude whispers to her soul as strongly as the sea itself
does. But her newfound contentment is interrupted when a mysterious man—a
Sachael, master of seduction—joins her midnight swim unexpectedly.

Estelle
struggles against his charm and the overpowering attraction she feels for him.
He offers her a life she never could have imagined, a life beneath the waves .
. . but at what cost? Before she can decide, she’s captured, ensnared by the
Sect, a secret enemy of the Sachaels, becoming a pawn in a war she knew nothing
about.

Now, she’s left
with a new choice—escape the clutches of the Sect and flee into the ocean, or
side with her alluring, intimidating captor and destroy the Sachaels forever.
Can she turn her back on the man she might love, or will the secret of her
heritage change everything?

Set against a
picturesque backdrop, Sachael Dreams is the first in a new series, exploring
themes of romance, love, and identity, and the struggle that happens when all
three collide.

Growing up,
Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency
to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she
graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in
Finance. Melody is convinced the methodical time she spends working with
numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the
illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter
lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not
dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she
will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip
to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading
and writing about such creatures. In fact, if she wasn’t such a terrible
swimmer, she’d say she was a mermaid.

Sachael
Dreams is her debut novel, and the first in her New Adult Romantic Fantasy
series—the ‘Mine Series’.

Saturday, 10 January 2015

Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday. Mine is particularly exciting as my latest book, Third to Die, is released today.

So what does a release day exactly entail? Other than waking up with a churning feeling in my gut as I worry what people will make of the story, not much. I'm not really one for any type of elaborate fanfare. My biggest wish with any of my books is that the people who read them enjoy them. I might stretch to a celebratory cupcake later but for me, Third to Die flew the nest long ago. I'm already hard at work on the next book in my Avalon series, Fourth to Run.

I really love writing my Avalon series and I'm fortunate to have been given the opportunity to develop the series in to four books. Aiden and co have started to feel like family to me. When I return to the sleepy, sun baked town of Avalon everywhere seems so familiar and comforting. But after I've completed Fourth to Run I'll be having a break from Aiden for the rest of the year to concentrate on other projects.

Now all that remains for me to do with Third to Die is to sit back and let it take flight on its own. I've poured my blood, sweat and imagination in to the book and that's all I can do. My part in the process is now over, the book now belongs to the readers!

Since I'm rather boring on release day I'll imagine how Aiden would celebrate if he knew his stories were being released out in to the world. He'd crack open a beer, relax in the sunshine in his back yard and savor the silence and tranquility of Avalon. That is until someone bursts through the door prompting the start of his next adventure, but you'll have to wait for that one ; )

If you've read Third to Die please let me know what you think as I always love to hear from readers!